Protected by Emeralds (A Dance with Destiny Book 5) Read online

  He was still smiling down at her as she looked back out at the swaying crowd. She sighed.

  “Suou, can we please just dance now? I have enjoyed your company, sort of. But I truly need to be leaving.”

  He handed her another fluted glass of the bubbly pink liquid. “Spare me just a few moments more. I beg you.”

  She took the proffered glass and glanced back at the colorfully arrayed, happy guests.

  “Are you bored, Sakura?”

  Suou startled her when he spoke.

  “No, Your Highness. I am fine.”

  Her eyes met Kazuto’s. He gave her a tiny wave. She returned the gesture.

  The Prince softly cleared his throat. “If you wish a partner, Milady, let it be me. I can dance with you. If you so desire.”

  She looked up at him. He was blushing and didn’t meet her gaze.

  “Is it time, then? Are you ready for our dance?”

  “No, Sakura. I am not speaking of the special dance you promised me as payment.” He looked down to gauge her reaction. “I meant, for pleasure only.”

  She smiled at him and crinkled up her nose. “I am fine, Suou, really. You still have many people to greet. And I am certain to garner more than just a few hateful glares if I monopolize all your time. If I wish to dance, I shall do so with the commoners.” She giggled. “Continue to rub your royal elbows with the upper echelon of your kingdom, Sire. Leave the lowly masses to me.”

  “He is no commoner.” He spoke through gritted teeth.

  She turned to Prince Suou. Following his piercing gaze, she found an equally ill-looking Kazuto.

  “Do you have any idea how I felt when I caught a flash of pink curls spinning around to the music?”

  She let her gaze drop to her nearly empty champagne glass.

  “I felt like I was going to be sick.” His clenched fists were shaking at his sides. “When I saw who it was that held you, when I saw his arms around your waist, his hands touching your delicate body… I couldn’t breathe.”

  “Things are moving beyond your control, Naga,” Uriel said. “Something dark is boiling within these gilded walls and I cannot tell what is going to come of it. Get out now. Excuse yourself for personal reasons, don your wings, and get the hell out of here.”

  But you said—

  “Just do it!” the Angel barked.

  She gently touched Suou’s white knuckles. He relaxed with the warmth of their exchange as Jenevier slowly laced her fingers through his. He stilled in her hands, his trembling ceasing. Turning toward her, she watched as the tension visibly melted from his shoulders.

  “Prince Suou, forgive me.” She tenderly caressed his cheek as she whispered, “I was careless. I did not realize your feelings were so strong where I am concerned. I favor no man here, save you. You are my hero.” She softly smiled. “You laid low one of the vilest men in your kingdom. You carried my pitiful form, who knows how far. And you went without sleep for days. All these things you did for a mere stranger. You are a Crown Prince. Yet you stayed in an abandoned shack—minus food and all else—ministering to a dying woman who had not another soul in this world. You take my breath away, Prince Suou. I am in awe of you, of your noble heart.”

  “You are the strangest, most intoxicating woman I have ever known.” His watery eyes danced as he gazed down at her. “Your beautiful words are an enchantment upon my heart.”

  She blushed and lowered her eyes. “I promise not to leave your side a moment more this entire evening, except…” She paused.

  He chuckled softly. “Except what?”

  She leaned in closer and tiptoed, trying to get as near to his ear as possible. “I have to go pee.”

  His responding laughter was louder than he had meant it to be, garnering them more than a few stares.

  “You say the most inappropriate things, Empress Naga.” He winked at her and placed her tiny hand on his arm. “I will take you where you need to go.”

  “No, please.” She balled the lapel of his jacket up in her fist. “Do not leave your honored guests. Just point the way, sweet Prince. I will make do. I promise.”

  He chuckled. “Very well, then.”

  Prince Suou couldn’t help but smile as he watched her colorful curls weaving through the crowd toward the main doors.

  “Why is it you act so sweet and innocent at certain times? Then you turn into an absolute spawn of hell at others? How do you switch back and forth so easily, little sister?”

  She shook her head. “Uriel, Uriel, Uriel… I am whatever I need to be. Just like you, Brother. Besides, I’m a woman. It is our right and inherent nature to be whatever the hell we feel like being. Problem?”

  “See? Just like that. You were all puppy dog eyes and rainbows just now with the Prin—”

  “Just shut it, Uriel. How many times have you told me… We are who we need to be? Hmm? And you, Brother, you damn sure don’t need puppy dog eyes from me. A fat lip, yes. Puppy dog eyes? Never.”

  As she left the formal hall, Jenevier turned right and started counting doors. She really did need to relieve herself—too much champagne.

  Four. Five. Ah, here it is. Door number six.

  When she placed her hand on it to give it a push, someone grabbed her from behind.

  “Wait. I need to ask you but one thing.”

  She turned toward the speaking man.

  “Kazuto?”

  “Apologies, Naga. I only wish a word with you.”

  “Can it wait a couple seconds more? I will not be long. I promise.” She glanced back at the door, desperately. So close, yet so far.

  “Please?”

  “Very well.” She faced him proper and smiled. “What is it you would like to know, Lord Kazuto?”

  “Kagi Naga, do you belong to the Prince, Milady?”

  She snorted out a half laugh. “No, Milord. I belong to no one, save myself.”

  With her admission, Kazuto’s mouth fell hard upon hers. He pushed her up against that sixth door, groping her.

  She tried to shove him. “Get… off… me.”

  He grabbed her chin, forcing her to accept his kiss. She tried to knee him, but he was pressed too close.

  When he suddenly released her, she gasped for air and opened her eyes. Only then did she realize Prince Suou had pulled the man off her. She used the distraction to slip inside the bathroom, bolting the door behind her.

  Uriel was standing there, waiting. She donned her mask and stepped back into the hallway, meaning to make a quick escape with her angelic brother.

  Kazuto drew a half sword from within his clothing and slashed at Suou’s stomach, missing by the slightest margin.

  “Ugh! Uriel, these are my ripples, are they not?”

  “They are,” he said. “If you would only have carried out your summons in your current form, away from human eyes—”

  “Oh, just shut it, Uriel,” she spat. “How does any of that help now?”

  Jenevier stepped back into the bathroom, removed Vashti, and burst through the door—hurling herself in front of Prince Suou.

  Kazuto halted his blade only inches from her face.

  “Naga, what are you doing?” Panic and relief were both evident in the Prince’s voice.

  She ignored him.

  “Why do you take up arms against this man in his own home?” She slowly advanced, circling the shocked attacker.

  “Naga, come away from him,” Suou demanded. “Stand behind me.”

  Her gaze stayed locked with the swordsman. “You touched me. You tried to force yourself on me, minus my consent. Why? Do you consider me less than you? Less than human?” Her eyes flashed red. “The last man who handled me thusly now rots beneath the ground, minus a head.”

  “Easy, Naga,” Uriel warned.

  Both men jumped when they heard what they thought was metal upon metal. Her invisible claws batted away Kazuto’s blade.

  “Never… mistake me… for weak,” she hissed.

  Her claws entwined with the cold steel.
She twisted her wrist slightly, sending the half sword clattering down the hall.

  Both men stared at the blade flipping end over end until it came to quietly rest against the wall.

  Jenevier seized Kazuto around the neck, lifting him off the ground, pinning him against the wall.

  “Does this man deserve death?” she asked coolly.

  “No… Well, probably… But, no,” Suou said, his voice trembling slightly.

  “Heed my words, Akio Kazuto. Touch me again, look at me inappropriately, even think about having your way with me, and I will not ask anyone else’s opinion. I will remove your head and your heart in the same breath. I will send word to the Nether you desired Apollyon’s wife, that you forced your tongue into her mouth. Your tiny mind cannot even fathom the torture you would be dealt.”

  “Enough, Naga,” Uriel said.

  She dropped the man. He hit his knees, gasping for air and grabbing at his throat.

  “Oh, don’t go on so.” She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “I caused you no harm. Breathe as normal… idiot.” She turned to the Prince. “Sire, do you still hold me to our dance? Or am I free to go?”

  “I st-still want it,” he stuttered, his gaze locked on the floored man. “B-but you are fr-free to go.”

  “Very well. A life for a life, then.” She held out her hand to the Prince. “Are we even?”

  He reached a shaky hand toward her. She seized his forearm.

  “Are we even, Brother?” she asked, forcing him to look her in the eye.

  “Y-yes.”

  “Good. Now, enjoy your party.” She smiled and curtsied. “And watch out for this one.” She jabbed her thumb over her shoulder toward the still gasping man.

  “I will. I always have,” Suou said absently.

  “Well then. Sayonara, fair Prince.” Tossing a wave back over her shoulder, she used the tip of her shoe to flip Kazuto’s sword into the air, grasping it by the hilt. “I’ll just take this, if you don’t mind—remove any further temptations.”

  “You are such a little show-off.” The Arch chuckled. “I know. I know. Just shut it, Uriel.”

  She smiled and glanced sideways at the Angel. “Did I leave too big a mark?”

  “Little sister, you carve a giant swath wherever you roam.” He sort of shrugged his shoulders, barely. “That’s just who you are, apparently.”

  “Yes, but did I change something I should not have? Did I cause something that should not be? Have I another tsunami in my future?”

  Uriel sighed. “I know not, Little Fire. Only time will tell.”

  She heard the quickly approaching footsteps and rolled her eyes.

  “Or… perhaps I spoke too soon,” Uriel mumbled.

  “Naga, wait.” Suou caught up to them. “Please, just wait a moment more.”

  By all that’s holy. She sighed, turning. “Yes, Milord? What can I do for you?”

  Her smile was too bright. Her words, too chipper.

  “Don’t do that.” He gasped for breath. “Do not pretend with me, Kagi Naga.”

  Her smiled faded, a sardonic look replacing it.

  “Very well, then. What do you want now, Suou?”

  “You,” he said. “That dance, the one you promised me, it is to be the introduction of my intended.”

  “Your what?” Jenevier and Uriel spoke in unison, but he could only hear her voice.

  He blushed. “At the end of this evening’s festivities, there will be an announcement stating that the Crown Prince is formally engaged. I am to lead my intended onto the floor and share with her our first official dance together, witnessed by all. My father demanded it. Thus, the celebration.”

  “I knew something bad was up,” Uriel said.

  “And… you would have done thus to me?” She gaped at him. “You would have lied to your family and friends, forcing me to lie as well? Suou, I told you of my intended while we yet stood amongst the sakura. Yet even knowing my heart, you would have gone through with your charade? How could you think this would end well? How could you do me like that?”

  “It would not have been a charade, Naga. I love you. I loved you upon sight. I sat by you, praying for your life, all because I wished to make you my wife. What I did, I did out of love. Please, will you stay? No more lies. You know the whole of it. Will you dance with me?”

  “I will not,” she said firmly. “You have a good heart, Suou. Yet you know nothing of love. You did not consider my feelings because you are a spoiled Prince who is used to getting what he wants.”

  “That’s not tru—”

  “I suppose you probably thought I would be honored to be the intended of one such as you. That I would be giddy—elated because you fancied me. I mean, seeing as how I am just a commoner and you are a Crown Prince and all. It would be like a dream come true, right?” She snorted out a laugh. “You were probably so proud of yourself, thinking you would be the answer to the greatest dream a poor girl like me has ever had—a real Knight in shining armor.”

  “That’ll do, Naga,” Uriel said. “Let’s take our leave before your temper goes where it should not.”

  “Let me tell you something about Knights and their armor,” she continued, ignoring the Arch. “No matter how shiny it may be…” She flung the half sword, the tip of which buried deep within the mahogany wall behind Suou. “…I can always find the kinks, always. It’s what I do.”

  “But, Naga—”

  She held up her hand. “Now go. Tend to your guests and make your father proud. You will make a fine King or Emperor or whatever the hell you call it here.” She turned from him. “Gratitude, wee Prince. But I cannae be playing around with ye any longer.” She imitated Vittorio’s accent as best she could. “I have my own kingdom tae see tae. An’ I dunnae want tae leave mine intended all alone when we should be swaying tae the tune of our own dance.”

  “Please… just let me expla—”

  Jenevier jerked the palace doors open. A wall of cherry blossoms blew in—a blinding whirlwind of pink.

  When the petals cleared, she was gone.

  *****

  “Vashti?” Uriel whispered.

  “Don’t.” Jenevier gritted her teeth. “…Not yet.”

  “But—”

  She growled, her smoky angelic form churning and boiling. “Just… do not speak to me. Give me a moment. Let me breathe.”

  “All I wanted to say was… If you need me, I am here.”

  She snorted. “And what the hell good does that do me? Seems you’re always here anyway. What comfort has it given me?”

  “I know you, Vashti. I can see inside your heart. And that’s why I said what I did.”

  “What? That if I needed you, you were here? Thanks for stating the obvious, Uriel. But the only thing I need right now… is to hit something!”

  “Yes, I know. Thus my offer.”

  She turned to look at him then, narrowing her gaze. “What did you just say?”

  “I said…” He bent down so they were eye to eye and smugly exaggerated his infuriating smirk. “…hit me, Vashti.”

  Before he could draw his next breath, she did—punched him square in the jaw. He staggered back, shaking his head.

  Dammit. He cupped the side of his face. That little demon actually hit me. I can’t believe it.

  Careful, Uriel, Raphael warned. Forget not who it is you now speak to. She may be tiny, but she casts a long shadow. Take care you do not perish under it.

  Wait! Jophiel interrupted their internal monologue. Don’t do anything else until I get there. I want to see this. Perhaps I’ll even join in on the fun.

  This isn’t for fun, Uriel growled. I can see it in her eyes, Jophiel—the rage, the pain. She needs an outlet. It is eating away at her soul like a venomous rot. The debilitating pain and betrayal is every bit as fresh right now… as it was the day Emperor Musashi hurt her.

  Yes, Raphael said. And that is why I said to take care. We can all feel her pain. She hides it, yes. Wars with it, even. Bu
t forget not, Brother. Her claws are not meant for play. She is built to reap. If you let her unleash all that pent up fury, Uriel, you will not walk away unscathed.

  It is as Raphael says, Gabriel softly added. Alas, I am in agreement with Uriel. She needs an outlet, Brothers. This latest mission—being forced to spend time with a man who could be (in her mind) Musashi’s long lost twin… then being maliciously groped by a complete stranger—Naga is an armed bomb just waiting for the right trigger.

  Yes, Uriel agreed. Like it or not, Brothers, her fuse has been lit. It is only a matter of time before that gnawing anger turns into a malignant decay, a plague of the heart the likes of which has not been since the olden days. No, Brothers. If Naga looses such fury upon any creature other than an Arch—

  “What are you waiting for?”

  Uriel focused back on the tiny Angel before him. “Apologies, Vashti. What did you say?”

  “I said… Is this really a fight? Or are you just my willing practice dummy? Huh? Tell me, Brother. Are you seriously offering me the chance to permanently wipe that maddening smirk off your ridiculously handsome face?”

  He smiled. “Well… I’m not offering to just stand here and let you have your way with me, no. But I am offering you a target. If you need to release some of the pain you have locked away inside… I will be your adversary, just for today. What do you say, Vashti? Would you like a real go at me?”

  “…A go at you?” She snorted out a laugh. “If you hadn’t just said it like that… I probably would have hit you again.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Uriel.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s obvious what you’re trying to do here. You know how hard that whole thing was for me.” She jabbed her thumb back towards the palace behind her. “And now, here you stand—acting like a for real big brother.” She shook her head. “I never would have imagined it. You are actually trying to help me, trying to give me an outlet. Is that not so?”

  “Yes.” He nodded elegantly. “That is precisely my intention.”

  She smiled then and gently took his hand. He flinched.

  “Uriel, Brother… you have no idea how many times I have wanted to punch you right in the mouth.” She blushed. “Gratitude, Brother. That is the nicest thing you have ever offered to do for me. I am truly grateful. But there is no way I can actually fight you. Not now. Not while you’re being so kind and considerate.”